Medieval Furniture
The Middle Ages in Europe followed the end of the Roman Empire, and in this time of change, which preceded the Renaissance, furniture was simple and utilitarian, with most homes having only the necessities like chests and benches. Much of medieval furniture, which was often made in oak or walnut, was built for the elite, particularly the emerging merchant class who owned multiple homes.
Life for many in the medieval era was unstable, and furniture was designed to be functional and portable. Peasants worked the fields for affluent landowners and didn’t have access to literature in the way that nobles and people of the church did (women less so than men). The furniture in their modest dwellings was typically limited to cookware and a handful of stools. Foldable chairs, while uncommon in homes of the early Middle Ages and emblematic of wealth, like all other furnishings of the time, allowed for easy transportation of a household. Trestle tables with detachable legs and collapsible beds were designed to be simply moved from place to place.
Medieval blanket chests were among the most important furniture objects and could further serve as tables or even beds. Some ancient traditions were carried forward to build this sturdy furniture, such as turnery. Although the furniture was minimally designed, embellishments like carvings added elegance to the heavy wood pieces. These details sometimes reflected trends in religious art like rose windows.
By the later Middle Ages, storage pieces like chests of drawers were often adorned with high relief carvings, such as geometric and floral motifs. By the 14th and 15th centuries, design had developed to include more involved pieces like cupboards and desks, while benches frequently doubled as chests with hinged seats. Beds also changed in this era from basic boards to four-post designs with large drapes to keep the sleeper warm. These beds and other medieval bedroom furniture were significant status symbols, passed down through families and used as places to conduct business and receive visitors.
Surviving examples of medieval furniture are very rare, yet its distinctive aesthetics influenced later styles like William and Mary and Arts and Crafts.
Find a collection of medieval seating, garden elements, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
1950s Danish Vintage Medieval Furniture
Brass
1960s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton, Wool
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
1930s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
1960s Belgian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Fabric
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century European Medieval Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Unknown Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
1930s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Fabric, Faux Leather, Glass, Blown Glass, Plastic, Paper
1950s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1940s Vintage Medieval Furniture
Oak
1940s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron
1960s Vintage Medieval Furniture
Brass, Iron
Mid-20th Century Italian Medieval Furniture
Brass
Mid-20th Century Medieval Furniture
Metal, Steel
1950s Indian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Mid-20th Century Unknown Medieval Furniture
Fabric, Wood
Mid-20th Century Afghan Medieval Furniture
Wool
1940s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1930s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Medieval Furniture
Metal
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1940s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1940s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1930s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Gesso, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool
1930s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Oak
1960s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Iron
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Italian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1930s American Vintage Medieval Furniture
Mahogany
Mid-20th Century Persian Medieval Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Persian Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1930s British Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Cotton, Wool
Mid-20th Century French Medieval Furniture
Wool, Cotton
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
1950s French Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Spanish Medieval Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
1940s Spanish Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wrought Iron
1960s Persian Vintage Medieval Furniture
Wool